Crime scenes often leave little behind for investigators

VICTORVILLE • Kathy Montoya said she felt relieved when she found out authorities had determined the driver responsible for the death of one of her best friends, Dion Levar.

"I was praying for a long time that they'd find the person that hit and killed Dion," said Montoya, who had been friends with Levar for more than 17 years. "I could not believe that she was left to die on the side of the road like an animal."

Investigators identified Jesus Salazar as the driver of the Subaru Legacy that struck and killed Levar as she walked along Mojave Road in Victorville last year, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Traffic investigators often have little evidence to work with after a hit and run, making it extremely difficult to track down suspects. They look for witnesses to give descriptions of the vehicle and driver, or, in some lucky instances, license plates. It is always easier when people are willing to come forward with information, sheriff's Deputy Troy Mooradian said.

Witnesses may not be readily available, especially in sparsely populated areas of the High Desert, which has seen an increase in hit-and-run crashes. Investigators sometimes start investigations with nothing more than small pieces of a vehicle broken off by the impact.

After examining such debris from a crime scene of a fatal hit and run, Deputy Kevin Riberich was able to narrow down the make of car that struck and killed the 49-year-old woman in September.

Riberich, of the sheriff's Victorville Station, contacted several car dealerships and auto parts manufacturers to help pinpoint the debris to a particular vehicle.

Riberich determined that the vehicle that struck and killed Levar was a Subaru Legacy built between 1997 and 1999.

Salazar, of Hesperia, was driving a 1998 Subaru Legacy when he allegedly struck and killed Levar.

Salazar was tracked down and arrested on July 15 by Mooradian and detectives from the Victorville Station. Mooradian said by phone on Wednesday that there was additional evidence that also led them to Salazar but it was "sensitive in nature."

Montoya said she was amazed at how authorities could track down someone from pieces of debris and when there were no witnesses.

"That's probably why it took so long — the cops were doing their job investigating," a teary eyed Montoya said.

Matt Hunt, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, also praised the efforts of nabbing the hit-and-run suspect.

"It seems as if the deputies in the Salazar case went above and beyond and did a great job in collecting evidence," Hunt said, adding that his agency has seen a rise in the number of hit and runs here this year. "There is always something left behind that officers can utilize to find the suspect hit-and-run driver, as was the case in that collision."

Hunt said there have been seven felony and 75 misdemeanor hit-and-run collisions so far in 2013. That pace will surpass last year's totals, continuing an upward trend since 2011.In 2012, there were 17 felony and 105 misdemeanor hit-and-run collisions. In 2011, there were 14 felony and 93 misdemeanor hit-and-run collisions, according to Hunt.

Sheriff's officials said there have been a total of 62 hit-and-run bookings in the High Desert — nine involving injury or death.

Two suspects remain at large in two separate hit-and-run cases involving two Hesperia juveniles this year.

Henry Chavez Jr. and Daniel Sanchez were both stuck by white pickups. Chavez, 16, was hospitalized on June 27 after being struck while riding a bicycle.

Sanchez was also struck while riding a bicycle on July 1. Sanchez' injuries were more severe and he died a day later in the hospital.

Susan Rose, spokeswoman for the Hesperia Sheriff's Station, said there are no further leads regarding the at-large suspects and deputies are depending on the public to come forward with new information.

"If we have nothing as far as an vehicle identification, we're dead in the water," Deputy Dusty Holland said. "Most of the solving of cases is a result of the public assisting us with most of what we need. The public is our eyes and ears. We're just able to utilize the tools of our profession and records to follow up on the information given to us."

Rose said she can imagine how heartbreaking it is for the Sanchez family and is hopeful somebody knows even the slightest bit of information.

Steve Dzida, an accident investigation review officer with the CHP, said it can become extremely difficult to track down a hit-and run driver, and when there is very little evidence, they rely heavily on the public.

"The biggest problem is we are all in a hurry, we all have things to do and places to be," Dzida said. "So people with some information figure somebody else will report it.

"Even what you think is the smallest bit of information, there are times it can turn into a huge lead for us. Think of it as if it was your family member or you involved. Wouldn't you want somebody to come forward and present any information that will help solve a case?"